I would refer you to the c-value paradox; many plants and toads
have more "complex" genomes than we do, depending on what you call
complex. as for man not being the more advanced species - i think that
depends on many subjective definitions such as progress and what is advanced.
As far as being in touch with our natural environment i think that most
of us are far inferior - how many of us feel confident that we could
feed themselves in the wilderness without gun or arrow? that to me seems
to be the important thing - the ability to stay alive.